Please can some one help - MK III Golf misfire

[craftycat]

Hi,

I.m writting with the slimest of hope that someone in cyber world can help me...

I am the owner of a 1997 MkIII golf CL, 81,000 miles, petrol. It's our family car, bought it for £1,200 with about 50k on the clock. Had it for about 2 years now, ran fine for a year (by 'fine', I mean a couple of £200 MOT's, thermostat problems, head gasket changed - nothing compared to the problems I have had in the last 6 months)...

On the school run, a few months ago, it started misfiring. Took it to my local garage (all the following work was on their advice) had the plugs changed. Ran ok for a week and then misfire came back. Back again to the garage, new leads and dizzy cap, arm fitted. Ran ok for a day this time, misfire came back. Again, back to my garage...

This time the garage suggested that it was a terminal case, and actually told me to sell it. Said there was something internally wrong with engine and it would cost a lot to see what was wrong with it, and even then it could be an expensive job. They also revealed each time they had it in they've had to clean the plugs cos they were really 'crappy'.

The golf always seemed to get through alot of oil, topping it up once a month, sometimes more. I always use to run the petroll pretty low (just for financial reasons really) and always used supermarket petrol. With this revalation of the engine getting 'caked up' with grime I decided to run it on a full (always over half) tank of better quality fuel with fuel additive (red ex). So, again, costing me more money. Things were great for quite a while (589 miles to be precise) until today.... Yesterday it wouldn't start, so I called the AA out. A need for a new coil was diagnosed and fitted (at a bloody cost of £87) and low and behold - IT'S MISFIRING AGAIN. I took to it myself this time, purely because I can't afford to take it to a garage anymore. As i suspected, the spak plugs were filthy, so i wire brushed them clean. Still misfiring and I'm at the end of my tether/finances.

As you can see, I paid over the odds for the vehicle in the first place, spent heap loads on it since and basically I've still got a car that isn't working. We're just a single (small) wage family that can't afford to sell it/buy new car or to throw any more at it. Despite all of the above, I actually like the motor and have waffled on this long in hope someone can help me. As you can tell, prob from some of the termanolgy I've used, I'm not much of a mechanic at all but am prepared to give things ago and apply common sense (most of the time ;-))

Thanks for your time.

[Crasher]

Firstly wire brushing the spark plugs is not a good idea, it creates tiny grooves in the plugs centre insulator which can cause a problem called “tracking” and so a new set of the correct plugs would be a good move, if you can tell me what the cars engine code is I can advise you on which make and grade of plugs to fit. Assuming all the new HT circuit parts fitted are correct I think you should find someone who can give the car a fault code read and clear, this should cost no more than £30, make sure you get a print out of the results.

[BobProperty]

As well as the code read, get a compression test done. I'm wondering if there is a lot of wear which is allowing oil past the pistons and/or giving poor compression.

[craftycat]

Thanks you two for the quick replies. I've got 5 days off now because of my shift pattern, so I am throwing myself into this and hoping to get it sorted - one way or another.

I'll do all you suggested over this coming weekend. Crasher, any chance you could say where will I find the engine code? As regards the fault diagnosis, I'll get on the case with that this weekend.

BobP - A couple of mates/work collegues have suggested the same. Again, I'll get on that this weekend. Thanks both.

Don't bollock me now, but I hadnt read your replies before I did this...

Today I looked at the plugs again and Number 2 was the dirty culprit this time. Rest weren't too bad. Again, I wire brushed them (sorry, wont be doing that again now I know I'm damaging the plugs). When I had them clean, I swapped 2 & 3 around bolted everything back and it's ticking over nicely again now. I know it'll only be a matter of time before it's missing again, but at least I can get my kids to school tomo (fingers crossed!)

Please don't think of me as a clown, I'm taking this oportunity to learn about the combustion engine! Sorry if any of what I've said sounds stupid and again, thanks for your time.

[Crasher]

The engine code is on a sticker on the cam cover, stamped into the front of the block below number 3 plug, on a sticker in the boot, the sticker on the inside front cover of your service book and on your registration document.